Ride Clear of Diablo

A Denver-based railroad surveyor who travels to Santiago to uncover the truth behind his father and brother's deaths. His sense of justice drives him to challenge corrupt authority, and his moral backbone grows as he confronts treachery. He out-draws formidable foes and slowly learns what it means to act with true courage.

The town sheriff who colludes with a powerful attorney to rustle stock and eliminate witnesses. He wields his badge to shield the crime, showing a willingness to bend justice for personal gain. His manipulation of the legal system makes him a central obstacle for Clay and the town.

A lawyer allied with Kenyon, he orchestrates cover-ups and uses influence to derail investigations. He is engaged to Laurie but shows a willingness to sacrifice others for a favorable outcome. He represents the legal side of corruption that Clay must confront.

A dance hall girl entangled in the conspirators' plans, she moves in the social circles around the O'Mara ranch. Her relationship with Clay adds a layer of personal stake to the pursuit of justice. Her choices reflect the town's fragile moral balance.

Fred Kenyon's niece, engaged to Meredith, unaware of the criminal activity. She becomes drawn to Clay, introducing a romantic conflict between loyalty to family and a budding moral attraction to the outsider. Her naivety highlights the town's moral divides.

A steady moral voice in the town, he counsels Clay away from revenge and toward measured justice. He provides spiritual and ethical ballast in a town tempted by corruption. His guidance frames the movie's ethical stakes.

A notorious gunslinger drafted into the setup by the corrupt pair, whose presence tests Clay's resolve. He eventually proves capable of a self-sacrificing act that helps redeem himself and illustrate the possibility of change within a hardened life. His clashes with Clay drive the central action.

A local witness pressured into testifying for Kincade, illustrating the town's susceptibility to manipulation. He embodies the fallibility of justice when influenced by fear or reward. His actions catalyze the legal confrontation that drives the plot.

A lawman in the fragile town who initially resists Clay's request to join the investigation. He embodies the cautious component of the system, where change is slow and risk-laden. His eventual stance reflects the town's evolving sense of justice.